Southern Charming

Nico and LaLa can customize your wedding from save-the-dates to take-home favors.

Nicole Speake and Lauren Saley.

“Swanky, Southern and sophisticated.” That’s how the Tennessee-transplanted, “y’all”-saying ladies behind the new downtown boutique Nico and LaLa describe their custom invitation and event-branding biz. Owners Nicole Speake and Lauren Saley design just about every paper accessory that you can dream up for a wedding. “We’re the one-stop-shop for save-the-dates, invitations, welcome baskets, napkins, cups, favors and more,” Saley says. So how does it work? Couples come to Nico and LaLa with photos, Pinterest links and all sorts of inspiration to establish an event brand and often a logo. From there, it’s picking out the desired accessories—and a bit of back and forth with proofs and revisions ’til all’s just right. The final product is a personal and fun paper suite that might just include custom labels for Champagne bottles, cocktail flags or even candy wrappers. “People are veering away from traditional black-on-ivory paper treatments,” says Speake. “Vintage letterpress and bold colors are what Chicago brides want.” Oh, the possibilities.